Parents say

Kids say

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.

Get it now on

Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.

X of Y

X of Y

X of Y

X of Y

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this app.

Ease of Play

Players are walked through each step with detailed instructions and visual examples of what they need to do, but they may wish that they could see how much overall progress they've made -- and you can't exit games until you've completed them, which can be frustrating.

Violence & Scariness

Sexy Stuff

Language

Consumerism

In-app purchases, such as coins, which help extend play and can be used to buy things like additional furniture, range from $1.99-$99.99.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Matchington Mansion is a match-3 puzzle game for iOS and Android devices. Players try to solve puzzles, which helps them design and decorate their newly acquired house. Gamers get plenty of guidance while playing; it may actually feel like too much at times, which could be frustrating. Similarly, during each level, players can't quit or pause the game to check their coin total or return to the main screen, for example. Apart from the game offering in-app purchases to extend gameplay or give you objects to solve puzzles for real cash, there's no inappropriate content. Gamers can potentially meet and connect to strangers through the app's Facebook community but can't chat with them while playing -- although the app's developers say adding the functionality in the future is a possibility. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.

What's it about?

MATCHINGTON MANSION is a match-3 puzzle game where, guided by their designer friend Tiffany, players renovate a manor that they've inherited. To advance, players need to win matching games and earn stars, which can be used to purchase furniture or perform tasks like cleaning or getting the front door fixed. Coins that you earn from completing puzzles as well can be used to buy extra lives, furniture, and other items to help them solve puzzles. Players will unlock new rooms as they progress, and matching games get increasingly harder -- but they get hints when they play to help them finish.

Is it any good?

While players use match-3 puzzles to slowly redesign a home, but the feeling that you don't fully have control over the plot elements of the game makes it for puzzle fans only. While the gameplay of Matchington Mansion advances at a steady pace, some elements, like the lengthy explanation before each stage and the visual depiction of fireworks going off as you clearing rows, can slow things down a bit. But at least players get lots of guidance, so it's hard to get stuck or be confused, and there are plenty of activities to keep players busy. The app is also pretty kid-friendly, and there's no inappropriate content. But it can feel like you're watching things unfold more than you're an active participant.

Players can't respond or verbally interact with other characters. As a result, Tiffany, the friend helping you redesign the mansion, does most of the communication and other legwork, which takes some control out of your hands. Gamers can sometimes choose what activity to pursue next, but letting them choose how Tiffany will respond to another character or situation would make the game more engaging. It'd also be nice to see how far you've progressed and have a mix of challenges. The matching games increase in complexity as you continue, but they appear to essentially all involve the same format, which can get boring over time. While the twist of working on a house is clever, Matchington Mansion really only appeals to fans of the puzzle formula.

Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.

Headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Help center

Follow Common Sense Media

Common Sense, Common Sense Media, Common Sense Education, and Common Sense Kids Action, associated names, associated trademarks, and logos are trademarks of Common Sense Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (FEIN 41-2024986).